Irrigating apparatus



May 9, 1939- M. IRWIN IRRIGATING APPARATUS Filed April l, 1936 Wal 1nnen/Zar wen/j kifAZorN/eys Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATESIRRIGATING APPARATUS Milton Irwin, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor ofone-half to Walte'r G. Berg,

Minn.

Application April 1,

Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to flushing and irrigating apparatus and Whilecapable of numerous uses as such, is particularly designed forirrigating and cleansing the intestinal tract.

In the treatment of colitis, constipation and certain types ofrheumatlsm caused by infection of the colon, intestinal irrigation andhigh enemas have been found to produce benecial results. It is essentialin irrigating the colon and intestines that the pressure of the liquidutilized be kept below a predetermined limit and if irrigation is to bein the nature of a flushing operation, it is essential that means forcontinuously supplying the liquid and draining the same be provided for.

It is further desirable that the temperature of the liquid utilized bemaintained at a desirable level to prevent scalding or chilling of thepatient.

It is an object of my invention to provide efcient irrigating apparatusof the class described which makes provision for the essentialsenumerated in the previous paragraph and which may be lsupplied with hotand cold liquids from the usual domestic sources under pressure.

, It is a further object to provide in such apparatus a mixing chamberwith means for supplying relative amounts of hot and cold liquids fromsources under pressure and apparatus wherein the i'low of the mixedliquid is dependent entirely upon gravity due to a column of mixedliquid of a predetermined height.

It is a further object to provide in apparatus of the class describedmeans for injecting into the mixture ofhot and cold liquids,proportionate amounts of medicants or antiseptics.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willmore fully appear from the following description, made in connectionwith the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters referto the same or similar parts throughout the various views, and, inwhich,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation showing an embodiment of my improvedapparatus compactly mounted on a suitable supporting panel;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through the chamber wherein hot andcold liquids are mixed;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a detail cross section taken on the line of Fig. 1.

My apparatus is preferably supplied with hot and cold liquids fromconventional sources under pressure, such as the pipes H and C, whichare connected with the usual household or oiiice REISSUED Nov s- 1940Minneapolis,

1936, Serial No. 72,047

building sources of hot and cold water supply under pressure. In theembodiment of my apparatus illustrated, a pair of upwardly extendingpipes 6 and 1 are coupled at their lower ends to the hot and cold watersupplies H and C. Pipes 6 and 'l at their upper ends communicate with ashort intake conduit 8 which, as shown, connects centrally with thebottom of a casing 9 which forms a mixing chamber. Pipe 6 has a shutoffvalve 6a mounted therein and, as shown, a regulating valve 6b disposedsome distance above said shutoi valve. Likewise pipe 'l has the shutoffand regulating valves la and 1b, such valves being preferably disposedin side by side relation with the corresponding valves of pipe 6. Theentire apparatus as shown is mounted on a vertical panel P.

The construction of the interior of the mixing chamber 9 is shown inFigs. 2 and 3, an inclined partition or baffle 9a being secured in saidchamber at a short distance above the bottom thereof and traversing aconsiderable portion of the cross sectional area of casing 9 and beingdisposed to intercept and deflect the stream of hot and cold liquidswhich are admitted into the casing through the intake conduit 8. Thisbaille imparts a swirling and churning motion to the incoming stream ofliquid and assists in quickly causing a thorough mixture of the hot andcold water.

An upwardly extending pipe I0 communicates at its lower end with thedischarge 9b at the top of mixing casing 9 and is of a desirable heightto constitute with the mixing chamber 9 liquid containing means which aswill readily be seen, maintains a constant gravity actuated pressure ofthe mixed liquid because of a predetermined height of a column of themixed Water. The pipe Il) is preferably of considerably greater internaldiameter than the water intake pipe 8 in order that there may be anunrestricted overflow connected with the upper end of the liquidcontaining means, as will hereafter be seen. Pipe I0 connects at itsupper end with short pipe section Il which, in turn, connects with adownwardly extending overow pipe I2 of, at least, equal internaldiameter to the pipe Ill. Overflow pipe I2 preferably has anintermediate section |2a constructed of transparent material, such asglass, to enable the flow of overflow liquid to be readily detected. Thelower end of overflow pipe I2 connects with a suitable drain conduit I3having a conventional trap I3a disposed therein. The short pipe sectionII at the top of the upwardly extending pipe Il) is provided with abreather for admitting air to prevent a siphon action between pipes I0and I2 and in the mixing chamber 9 and pipe I0.

The apparatus illustrated is adapted to be used for flushing out thehuman colon and, as shown, a table T is mounted close to the supportingpanel P and the top thereof is at a predetermined height relative to theheight of the liquid containing means (mixing chamber 9 and pipe IIJ). Apatient to be treated lies upon the table Tband the water or other fluidor medicants are discharged into the rectum of the patient through asuitable nozzle N, which is connected with the liquid containing meansat some suitable point above the discharge end of the mixing chamber 9.As shown, a short elbow pipe I4 communicates with the lower part of pipeI0 and with a vertical conduit I5 which is connected by a exible hose I6to the nozzle N. The pipe I5 or, at least, the lower portion thereofbelow the elbow I is reduced in an internal diameter relative to elbowI4, as will be seen by reference to the cross sectional view indicatedas Fig. 4. A regulating valve I1 is provided in the elbow I4 andinasmuch as the pressure of the gravity actuated column of water in theliquid containing means is predetermined and valve I1 regulates theamount of fluid discharge, the valve acts also as a pressure regulatingvalve, that is, to vary actual pressures of liquids discharged into thepatient.

The pipe I5 extends for some distance above elbow Ill and communicatesat its upper end with the bottom of a tank I8 also mounted on thesupporting panel P. Tank I8 is open at its upper end or, if desired, maybe provided with a hinged cover and is adapted to contain medicants insolution. The pipe I5, above its connection with the elbow I1, isprovided with a medicant flow regulating valve I9. Numeral 20 indicatesa tubular glass gauge which is shown as mounted on panel P at one sideof medicant tank I8 and connected at its lower end with the pipe I5 toindicate the medicant level within tank I8.

It is sometimes desirable to admit additional air into the owing streamof mixed liquids and to this end I provide an air induction tube 2|terminating at its upper open end at a level, at least, equal to thelevel of the overow pipe section II which determines the height of thecolumn of liquid in the liquid containing means. Tube 2| connects withthe pipe I5 below the point of connection of the mixing water supply andis preferably provided with a regulating valve 22 which, as shown, isindicated adjacent the point of connection of said tube with pipe I5.

In giving high enemas and colonic irrigations, it is desirable toprovide for continuous supply of liquids and drainage of refuse andliquids, and to this end I provide a nozzle construction having aprojecting discharge of relatively large diameter for insertion in therectum and having means connected with said discharge for continuouslydraining oif material while liquids are being supplied through the samepassage. My nozzle structure N includes a tubular discharge member 23 offrom three-eighths to threeffaurths inches in internal diameter having,as shown, a guard or conical plug member 2li-attached to the rearportion thereof. Member 23 carries a quick detachable fitting 26 whichis adapted to be joined with a cooperating union member secured to aflexible tube or hose 21. Drain hose 21 is connected with the drain I9and the overflow liquids passing downwardly through overow pipe I2 intodrain I3 cause induction of iiuids and material through hose 21 in thedirection of the arrow shown in Fig. 1. A glass gauge 21a is interposedin the drain hose 21 adjacent the nozzle. 'I'he connection of the nozzlesupply hose I9 with the rear portion of the tubular nozzle member 24 ispreferably made laterally of the member 24 with the connection memberinclined relatively to the axis of member 24 to assist in the return ordrainage ow of material.

As further assistance to induce continuous drainage of material, Iprovide a small injector conduit 28 connected with the source of coldwater supply under pressure and having its discharge disposed axially ofdrain I3 and directed downwardly thereof.

As a means to facilitate insertion of the discharge member 23 of thenozzle and to prevent injury and discomfort to the patient, I provide aremovable obturator A which is shown as mounted in an aperturedsupporting block 29 xed to panel P. Obturator A has a projecting shank30 provided with a tapered head 30a of such size as to fit and guard theouter extremity of the nozzle N and tocover the same. I'I'he shank isinserted through the rear of the nozzle member N and has an abutment atits end opposite the head 30a which maintains the head in the properrelation tothe tubular end of the member 23. 'I'he nozzle may then beinserted in the rectum and thereafter the obturator A removed and thenozzle member 29 connected with the hose by means of union 26.

In operation, assuming it is desired to thoroughly irrigate the colon ofthe patient with water, the regulating valves 6b and 1b of the twopressure supplies of hot and cold water respectively being properly set,the shutoff valves 6a and 1a are opened and hot and cold water ows intothe mixing chamber 9 upwardly through the pipe I0 and the overflow isdirected to the drain I3 through the overflow pipe I2. A thermometer 32indicates the temperature of the mixed liquid within mixing chamber 9.When the temperature has obtained the desired level, the regulatingvalve I1 is open and because of the predetermined height of the liquidcontaining means (mixing chamber 9 and pipe I0) the gravity actuatedpressure of the liquid can never exceed a predetermined amount. 'I'hemixed hot and cold water at the desirable temperature and pressure isdischarged into the patient through the tubular discharge member 23 andwill flush the colon or other parts. The fecal matter and other wastematerials and the utilized liquids are removed and drained ofi throughthe same passage 23 and are conducted to the drain I3 through the drainhose 21. Flow of such drained materials may be detected by inspectingglass tube 21a.

In giving a treatment, when it is desired to flush the colon byinjection of liquid, the ilexible hose 21 is squeezed or kinked causingflow of most of the liquid upwardly into the colon. Instant relief frompressure is obtained by releasing the hose 21, whereupon drainage willoccur, the liquid passing rearwardly through the nozzle N and beinginduced to flow by the rearwardly inclined connection of the branch 25with the discharge member 23 of the nozzle and also by connection of thedraining hose 21 with the drain I3 which, as shown, has mounted thereinthe injector tube 28. In giving a treatment, it is desirable t0alternately inject liquid into the colon Crt and drain the same byrestricting intermittently the hose 21.

If it is desired to mix with the ilow of water medicants from tank I8,the medicant regulating valve is opened. Likewise, if additional air inthe mixer is desired, the air regulating valve 22 is opened.

In the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have invented ahighly eicient apparatus for giving colonic irrigation and one which maybe depended upon to prevent injury or subjection of high pressure orundesirable iluid temperatures to the patient.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various partswithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Irrigating apparatus of the class described comprising a source ofcontinuously flowing liquid under variable pressure, means fortransforming said stream into a continuously owing stream under constantpressure, and means for entraining a stream of gaseous bubbles withinsaid continuously flowing constant pressure stream, whereby a train ofsaid gas is carried with said constantly flowing stream of liquid.

2. An irrigator comprising a tank, an inlet pipe for the tank adapted tobe connected to hot and cold faucets of a city or pressure water system,an outlet pipe rising from the top of the tank and provided with abranch which is vented to remove entrapped air from the tank, a secondbranch connected to said pipe between the first-named branch and thetank, a-depending pipe connected to the first named branch andconstituting a waste pipe, an elbow in the waste pipe adapted to beconnected to a sewage system, a jet pipe adapted to be connected to theAwater system and entering the elbow, a pipe connected to the secondnamed branch pipe, a valve controlling the last named pipe, a tank forsupplying a medicinal medium, an outlet for the last named tank, a valvecontrolling the last named outlet pipe, a common pipe connected to thesaid last named pipe and to the outlet pipe for the medicinal tank, aexible hose connected to the common pipe, a nozzle for the hose having areversely bent inlet connection with the hose, and a pipe adapted toconnect the nozzle with the sewage system between said elbow and thetrap of the sewage system whereby a suction action is created by the jetpipe in the nozzle outlet pipe.

3. An irrigator comprising a tank, an inlet pipe for the tank adapted tobe connected to hot and cold faucets of a city or pressure water system,an outlet pipe rising from the top of the tank and provided with abranch which is vented, a

second branch connected to said pipe intermediate the first named branchand the tank, a depending pipe connected to the first named branch andconstituting a waste pipe, an elbow in the waste pipe adapted to beconnected to a sewage system, a jet pipe adapted to be connected to thewater system and entering the eblow to create a siphoning effect, a pipeconnected to the second named branch pipe, a valve controlling the lastnamed pipe, a tank for supplying a rnedicinal medium, an outlet for thelast named tank, a valve controlling the last named outlet pipe, acommon pipe connected to the said last named pipe and to the outlet pipefor the medicinal tank, a flexible hose connected to the common pipe, anozzle for the hose having a reversely bent inlet connection with thehose, and a flexible conduit adapted'to connect the nozzle with thesewage system whereby a suctionnaction is created by the ,iet pipe inthe nozzle outlet pipe.

4. An irrigator comprising a tank, an inlet pipe for the tank adapted tobe connected to hot and cold faucets of a city or pressure Water system,an outlet pipe rising from the top of the tank-and provided with abranch having a vent therein, a second branch connected to said pipeintermediate its ends, a depending pipe connected to the rst namedbranch and constituting a waste pipe, a connection bf-'ftween said wastepipe and a sewage system, a jet pipe adapted to be connected to thewater system and entering said waste pipe to create a slight flowincrease in said waste pipe, a conduit connected to said second named.branch pipe, a nozzle having a reversely bent inlet connection withsaid conduit, and a connection between said nozzle and said sewagesystem, said connection being capableV upper portion of said pipe, anozzle having a re` versely bent inlet connection with said conduit andhaving an open outlet, and a pipe adapted to connect said nozzle withsaid sewage system,

said last mentioned pipe being constructed to permit intermittentobstruction thereof whereby the flow of liquid will be directed throughthe outlet of said nozzle during the obstruction of said last mentionedpipe.

MILTON IRWIN.

